Though it sounds understated, it can mark the beginning of a change in a character or relationship.

Alice has always disliked Bob or people in general or is just very [[{{Pride}} proud]]. But to Alice's dismay, she gets helped out by Bob in a moment when she really needs it. Glumly, Alice accepts and just when Bob is leaving Alice goes:

"Oh, and Bob..." Then a pause to indicate Alice biting the bullet. "Thank you."

This thanks, however grudging, is sincere; insincere ones fall under EmbarrassingRescue. It can often be a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming.

Compare ThinkNothingOfIt and DoesNotKnowHowToSayThanks. If Bob has the same attitude as Alice, he is prone to express it, either because he dislikes the connection it formed, or because he did not act for Alice personally. Sometimes another character may apply a PromptingNudge to get Alice to express her gratitude.

Contrast UngratefulBastard.-----!!Examples

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[[folder:Anime and Manga]]* After Zatch saves Kiyo a few times in early ''ZatchBell'' episodes, Kiyo tries his best to thank him but can't get the words out, settling for "I owe you". This is played more dramatically in the manga.* Seto Kaiba from ''Anime/YuGiOh'', who wasn't happy about losing his World Champion's title to a virtually unknown kid, grudgingly thanks Yugi for saving his little brother {{Mo|ralityPet}}kuba at the end of the Duelist Kingdom arc. He thanks him ''only'' for Mokuba; admitting he had to be saved himself as well would have been a too big blow to his ego.* Uryu Ishida and Ichigo Kurosaki from ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' tend to have this kind of interaction often, though they even more frequently hang lampshades on each other's UngratefulBastard moments.* In ''Manga/AKB49RenaiKinshiJourei'', Okabe, who was initially introduced as a BitchInSheepsClothing trying to sabotage the protagonist Minoru, thanked Minoru grudgingly after he saved her from humiliating herself publicly in one occasion.* After taking a literal ''beating'' from their father covering for his little sister's hobby, Kousaka Kyosuke goes about his next day like any other. This trope was major character development for Kirino, including the first and so far only time she addresses him as brother and led to Kyosuke [[TitleDrop proclaiming]] [[LightNovel/OreNoImoutoGaKonnaNiKawaiiWakeGaNai "My little sister can't be this cute."]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]* King Faraday delivers one (via telegram) to Franchise/{{Batman}} in ''Batman'' #314 after Batman saved his life against Two-Face. Batman notes that a 'thank you' from someone like Faraday is glowing praise.* In ''ComicBook/{{Transmetropolitan}}'', after Spider Jerusalem gets knocked out during a severe storm, his assistant Yelena Rossini proceeds to write a critical story in his name to make a deadline. Later, upon admitting the fact, she cringes waiting for his typical reaction (dirty words and violence), but instead he kisses her forehead and quietly replies, "Thank you."* SelfDemonstrating/DoctorDoom, of all people, in ''Comicbook/DoctorStrange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment'', thanks Strange for protecting his mother's soul from the wrath of Mephisto. It's pretty much the only hint of gratitude Strange gets during that misadventure, though.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]* The turning point in the Disney version of ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast''.* Shira gives one to Diego in ''WesternAnimation/IceAgeContinentalDrift'', after he brings her some water.-->'''Diego''': You know, you have a way of saying "thank you" that makes it sound more like "drop dead".-->'''Shira''': It's a gift.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* In ''Film/TheBirds'' Lydia, who is always jealous of her son's love interests, thanks Melanie in this way for taking care of her after a nervous breakdown.* CorruptCorporateExecutive Zorg in ''Film/TheFifthElement'' sort-of gives one of these to Priest Vito Cornelius after Cornelius saves him from choking on a maraschino cherry. "You saved my life. And in return I'll spare yours," and lets Cornelius leave... escorted out by his bodyguards.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature ]]* ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'' to Holly at the end of book two.* Inspector Cramer does this to Literature/NeroWolfe in ''The Silent Speaker''. Sort of. [[spoiler:He buys Wolfe an orchid after Wolfe saves his job.]]* In the first book of ''Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy'', Mara Jade takes Luke Skywalker prisoner while walking through Myrkr and then has to protect him from the Force-hunting predators native to the planet. She ''hates'' him and is also Force-sensitive and reads as prey to the vornskrs, so she tries taking stims to go without sleep. When a vornskr does finally get past her defenses and goes for her, Luke takes back his lightsaber and saves her with considerable difficulty. She has him drop the lightsaber and back off before ''very'' grudgingly thanking him and saying that now they're even for when she did not kill him immediately after finding him. But she still hates him.* In Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/TheRobotsOfDawn'', Elijah Baley receives one of these from the Chairman of Aurora, after the Chairman was prompted. The Chairman rarely thanks ''anyone''; thanking an Earthman was... impressive.* Any time Nynaeve, Elayne, and Egwene are forced to thank Mat for anything in the ''WheelOfTime'' it comes out like this.* ''Literature/TurnCoat'': Morgan starts to give one of these to Harry. He cuts Morgan off, stating that neither of them wants to hear him say that, for which Morgan is more than agreeable with. Earlier, Morgan also gives a grudging "You're welcome" in ''Dead Beat'', after Harry happily thanks him for [[spoiler:his first Warden paycheck]].* In the Creator/TomClancy novel ''Literature/PatriotGames'', ULA terrorist Sean Grady is temporarily transferred to a cell with ordinary criminals in it. When the cops check on him, he's been beaten and is being raped. The officer pulls the other prisoner off of Grady and gets him to the infirmary, at which point Sean says "Thanks." This is notable in that it's literally the ''only'' unnecessary word that Sean says in the presence of the police between the time he's arrested and the time he's broken out (At which point he shoots and nearly kills the officer who saved him).* One of the invading rogues on ''Literature/WarriorCats'' gives this to the Clan cats and Tribe cats when they saved them from an eagle.* In Creator/DorothyGilman's ''Literature/TheClairvoyantCountess'', Joe Painter finally manages to say "thanks" at the end of their first meeting, after Madame Karitska has stopped him from shoplifting and being caught.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'':** In the episode "Bread and Circuses" Bones gives Spock a GrudgingThankYou and receives a ThinkNothingOfIt in return.-->'''[=McCoy=]''': Spock, er, I know we've, er, had our disagreements. Er, maybe they're jokes, I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes. But, er... what I'm trying to say is...\\'''Spock''': Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief?\\'''[=McCoy=]''': What I'm trying to say is, you saved my life in the arena.\\'''Spock''': Yes, that's quite true.\\'''[=McCoy=]''': [Indignant] I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!\\'''Spock''': Oh yes, you humans have that emotional need to express gratitude. "You're welcome", I believe is the correct response.** There's another one in "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield". One of the aliens of the week is set up as someone who's hotheaded and difficult but ultimately at least somewhat sympathetic. Viewers get a hint of that second half coming when in his first exchange with Kirk and [=McCoy=], after reacting very angrily to their (perfectly accurate) accusation that he had stolen a Federation ship, the alien visibly pulled himself together enough to thank them quite sincerely for rescuing him.* In ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the episode after Ross and Rachel break up ([[WillTheyOrWontThey that is, the first time they broke up]]), Ross helps the others out after they get stuck on the road with no gas, and gets a rather reluctant 'thank you' from Rachel before they go.* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Buffy to Spike at the end of "Intervention". She's understandably {{squick}}ed out by his possession of a sex doll in her likeness, but after tromping all over his attempt to justify it, she follows up with:-->"That ... thing, it ... it wasn't even real. What you did, for me, and Dawn ... that was real. I won't forget it."* This happens in ''Series/{{Misfits}}'' when Nathan gets [[EmbarrassingRescue rescued from a totally ridiculous situation]] by Kelly. He doesn't actually utter the words "thank you", but he mumbles and gestures awkwardly until Kelly asks if he's trying to thank her, and he admits: "I guess I am". Cue awkward silence rife with {{U|nresolvedSexualTension}}ST.* A subversion occurs ''Series/That70sShow'' when Red "thanks" his son Eric for staying at home to help support the family instead of going to college after Red had a heart attack and couldn't work for a while. He expresses it by ordering Eric to go out and mow the lawn, awkwardly adding that the "lawn...thanks you for staying home." Red legitimately appreciates Eric's helping to pay the bills, but he's just extremely uncomfortable expressing his emotions except for when he's angry.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Gaiden'' had this after Axel had saved Lamia, even though he was formerly an adversary (but got a HeelFaceTurn). And then the next time they meet, they help out each other and just before Axel could leave, Lamia stopped him with-->'''Lamia''': ''Before you leave, can I say something, Captain?''-->'''Axel''': ''Sure. Go ahead.''-->'''Lamia''': ''... Thank you.''* Strangely enough, an ''inversion'' shows up in ''VideoGame/MegaManMaverickHunterX''. After the intro stage where Zero saves X, Zero starts to walk away, but X stops him to say thanks. Zero ''ignores him'', apparently uncomfortable with the implication, and literally jets off.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfHearts''. Hisui's been at odds with Shing the entire game, owing to a solid string of misunderstandings involving Shing and his sister Kohak. When Shing pulls a dangerous BigDamnHeroes and saves Kohak atop a rumbling mountain, Hisui berates him, but [[YouCalledMeXItMustBeSerious calls him "Shing you idiot!" in the process]]. When Shing points this out, Hisui cracks: "S-so what about it? ..but I guess it's true that you did save Kohak. I'll say it once: Tha, thanks."* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII'': ** Seifer when he gives his trophy to Sora after the latter saved his life. He follows it up by saying he'll win it back.** Auron. Sora even asks him to be grateful, to which he answers [[CrowningMomentOfFunny "thanks for meddling"]].* ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': You can get Bastila to apologize for her earlier rudeness, but according to the text it sounds like 'pulling teeth'.* VideoGame/StarFox 64 has this in a few of Falco's comments, such as "I guess I should be thankful."* In ''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptunia'', at the conclusion of the Lastation Tech Expo story arc, Neptune faces off against a giant KillerRobot out to destroy her. When she defeats it, CPU Black Heart arrives on the scene, telling her things wouldn't have come to this if she (Black Heart) hadn't been so negligent, while also having another of her {{tsundere}} moments when she actually goes to thank Neptune for her help.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob''-- For a variety of reasons, Jean doesn't like Voluptua, but she does express honest gratitude for her giving Jean and Bob a trip into space and then a ride on a [[DragonRider dragon's back]].** And, after a very large falling out, they reconcile when Voluptua ends up thanking Jean for helping save her life.* In ''Webcomic/AtArmsLength'', Kaige rescues the dragon-loathing adventurer Ginger from a monster during "Games Monsters Play". Later that evening during an uncomfortably silent moment between the two, Ginger thanks him.* In ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', after John's Dad takes Jack's [[BadJobWorseUniform hat]], sets it on fire, and sprays shaving cream all over it before stomping it to oblivion, Jack allows him to leave. He really hated that hat.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]* Wyn from the web fiction serial ''Literature/DimensionHeroes'' finds himself being saved several times throughout the course of the first book. Not one to look down on their kind acts but unwilling to change his stance of joining them, he simply says "Thank you" and continues on his way.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'':** There's an episode which featured an opponent whom Batman feared could actually defeat him in combat (though he wouldn't admit it); when the final showdown occurs, [[BruceWayneHeldHostage he's in Bruce Wayne disguise and can't fight up to his full potential]]... until Robin comes along and "removes" the sole witness. In the denouement a day later, Batman thanks Robin for his assistance, and admits that defeating the bad guy might have been highly difficult, "maybe impossible".** In another episode, Harvey Bullock is targeted by a killer and asks Batman for help. Bullock continues to [[BrutalHonesty express his dislike of Batman]] but does thank him in the end.* Subverted in the ''WesternAnimation/EarthwormJim'' cartoon. Jim saves the life of Bob the Killer Goldfish, who says "I don't know how to say this but... you saved my life. Thank you." He then states that he ''does'' know how to say that Jim's actions are also directly responsible for the fact that the universe is about to be destroyed.* In ''WesternAnimation/TheMask: The Animated Series'' "The Terrible Twos", The Mask rescues Lt. Kellaway from Putty Thing. Kellaway thanks him for saving his life and grudgingly admits he may not be "such a bad guy after all". The Mask then gives him a wedgie, as usual.* Subverted on ''WesternAnimation/CampLazlo'': Lazlo has just saved Edward from having to blow up his favorite doll. Edward is his usual angry self, but as he walks off, he says, "Oh...and Lazlo? Tha--''clean up this mess, you loser!''" How sweet.* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Sentinel Prime, after having been targeted by the Headmaster and reunited with his body, thanks his rival, Optimus Prime.-->'''Optimus Prime''': Wow. That must have hurt.-->'''Sentinel Prime''': More than you know.* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'', Hordak gives a variant after seeing She-Ra risk her life to save the both of them from AnotherDimension. They return just before a battle breaks out between the Horde and the Rebels, and Hordak commands the Horde to stand down, stating he doesn't want to owe She-Ra later for saving his life.* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':--> '''[=LeBarbara=]''': Hermes, don't you think you owe Zoidberg a thank you for saving you from yourself?--> '''Hermes''': ...but I hate him.--> '''[=LeBarbara=]''': Honey, we all do. But fair's fair.[[/folder]]----